Don’t ask me why I obsessively look to rock ’n’ roll bands for some kind of model for a better society. I guess it’s just that I glimpsed something beautiful in a flashbulb moment once, and perhaps mistaking it for prophecy have been seeking its fulfillment ever since.
- Lester Bangs

Just Horsing Around

- 41 (Columbus)

Date: 2009-12-31, 2:14PM EST

I'm a 41 year old single mom of a teen girl. I'm currently pursuing the biggest dream in my life: working with horses. Some people are reluctant to follow a dream in midlife, but I'm not that kind of person. It's been a long time getting to the point of following this dream, but I will follow it to the end.

In addition to my love of horse, I also love dogs and cats. I own two dogs: a boxer and husky mix. I also have several cats. I love to be in the company of animals.

I live my lifestyle as a Christian. I believe being a Christian is not just religion, but based on a relationship with Jesus Christ through the acceptance of the sacrifice He made for us when He died on the cross.

I'm interested in meeting someone who shares the same love I have for horses and other animals. Someone who is interested in pursuing my dream with me. Someone who will be my lifelong friend and soul mate. If that's you, please respond to the email link above.

Location: Columbus

it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

******

I thought adding pictures of horses was a nice touch...it really brings her love of horse to life.

2009 is fading fast. I am still trying to immortalize a few of my favorite songs from this year past by posting them again. Here is another song that would fit perfectly in to the movie that is constantly playing in my head. Maybe it's the boy/girl vocals, or maybe it's the way they call each other by name, I'm not sure, but something about this song just makes me smile. The band is A Camp - Nina Perrson of the Cardigans, and singer/songwriter Nicolai Dunger - and the song is perfect for some black and white scene in that movie of mine...

I think it's true, everything Beck touches turns into ear candy. The man is amazing. I am sitting here listening to the brand new Charlotte Gainsbourg album,, 'IRM, that Beck masterminded...the dude is a genius. I know, he always has been, but he still keeps blowing me away.

I am feeling even less wordy than I usually do...so just have a listen to this tune...great stuff.

There are stretches of every year( maybe 2 days. ,maybe two weeks) that seemingly Bill Callahan/Smog will be all I listen to. This year was no exception. His excellent " Sometimes I Wish I Were An Eagle" record was the soundtrack to more than one contemplative night over here. And on this great record, I think this is the song I listened to the most.

To the one

that's posting MC's

with the motive

of sabotage - m4w - 22

(you can't stop me AC! FU)

Date: 2009-12-17, 4:51PM CST

who ever it is that's posting irrelavent listings in order to make someone else think its me bad mouthing, FU. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. Its not that easy to make me look bad because I already have emailed my feelings towards the person I would like to be involved with and if that one special lady reads this "C" know that I'm not writing lashing posts towards you. Its some other "girl" that acts like she is someone else but on the inside she's the one that puts holes in her bedroom wall! I'm the good guy in this missed connection, so lil girl stop trying to ruin something that you want abolished so bad, and your greed is not acceptable. So lil girl the reason why I would like to carry on my days with the special lady is not because I want, andnot because I need, but because she is golden and I can tell she is real. I can sense the fake in you lil girl, so CK don't believe all the nonsense posted lashings. I do truly love you for the women you are, and I know you will contact me when the time is right, I don't change feelings like I do cars. Cars are just a material item that cannot compare to genuine attributes. I will be here patienlty waiting for your response. Until then you crazy lil girl that doesn't have the mindframe I want to share with... I have my two middle figers up with my mouth saying FU, go FK yourself, because that's all your going to get. Remember CK I'm will be here for you when your ready and have things figured out. I miss you and I know are connection isn't missed its just waiting to come alive at the right moment, just keep paying attention because I have here for you whatever you need, I'm here for you. Again the lil girl that's posting these ignorant fractions of crap!!! FU!! In big red letters!!!!!

Very few people have the skill of turning their gut-wrenching heartache into a three minute pop music masterpiece. Mark Oliver Everett - aka 'E' of the Eels - has this skill. Or maybe it's a burden, I'm not sure. Either way, most of my favorite Eels songs are the ones that everybody can relate to, but nobody ever wants to. The songs that rip your heart out, but leave you all the better for it. Songs like this one I am sharing, off of the soon to be released 'End Times' LP.

Another record that I listened to way too much, and talked about way too little in 2009 was the self titled debut from Telekenisis, aka awesomely musical guy Michael Benjamin Lerner. On a record full of catchy, heady pop songs...this was my favorite.

Power by fifty cent - 26

(eastland macys)

Date: 2009-12-18, 4:58PM EST

you sold me the new fifty cent colon today. you are short with brown hair. you said your brother and sister was coming back into town today for the holidays. i was with a family member myself. you seemed really cool. i was wondering if you cared to chat some. i was really interested in you. get back to me if you can and tell me what you remember about me. if at all possible.

******

WAIT - 50 Cent has a cologne??? And people are putting this on their body...on purpose...and paying money to do so?? The end times are nearly upon us I fear.

Another gem from this past year was this tune from the Felice Brothers. When I hear this song, I suddenly see an old 8mm, grainy black and white movie playing random scenes from my youth...now how many songs can do that?

I am not going to do a long, windy post about my musical 2009. I am just feeling especially scattered these days, and the idea of putting ANY kind of list together seems like it would feel a bit forced. And besides, there are thousands of just such lists out there if that's what your looking for...go crazy!

Instead, I am just going to spend these precious remaining days of 2009 and dedicate them to some of the songs that made the last 365 days pretty outstanding. I have already listed 28 of my favorite in mix tape form, you can find that playlist on the sidebar of the blog, but these songs are most definitely worthy of a second listen.

The first one that comes to mind, Ryan Bingham's 'Dylan's Hard Rain' off of hisRoadhouse Sun album from '09.

I've had this song in my head for like three straight days. Midlake has an uncanny ability to do that to me...I think their song 'Roscoe' set some sort of record for floating around in my brain the longest. This is purely an estimate though, as I do not have the technology nor the wherewithal to prove or disprove the data involved in how long a song actually sticks in my head. But I digress, with the song which is from the bands 2008 release 'The Trials Of Van Occupanther'...new music coming from these guys very soon in 2010.

You can make my

burrito any day -

w4m - 35 (Habanero Clifton)

Date: 2009-12-11, 5:39PM EST

You'll probably never see this, but I always like seeing you. I come in several times a week, I guess you could say I'm a regular.I feel so immature: secretly hoping you're working, and if you are, trying to make sure you make my food.Sometimes I pretend to look at the menu, so that you'll get me next in line.I love your eyes and I want to know their story. They're so beautifully dark, like a thunderstorm.I can see your hair peeking out from under your hat, it looks curly.You are so polite and your smile (if I am lucky enough to see it) is so kind.I'd love to ask you out, but it seems inappropriate to do so at your job.Just know that you make me think of other things besides beans & rice...

******

Ah yes, the fourteen words EVERY girl waits a lifetime for..."Just know that you make me think of other things besides beans & rice"

i know you cheated...

because now i have herpes.

- w4m (columbus)

Date: 2009-12-10, 11:24PM EST

i've had god knows how many blood tests this year for different reasons. yet this is the firstto come back positive for herpes, or any other STD for that matter. so yes, i know you cheated.we never used condoms, so its not like i just got unlucky and caught you during an outbreak. your a liar AND a cheater. wow. you're just the whole package, huh? oh and i know you stolefrom them. probably stole from the last guy you roomed with too, maybe thats the reason he left.you're just a total asshole and i can have you thrown in jail if i really wanted to. but i'll let you sufferat your shitty job, while living in the most horrible part of town.

oh, and the herpes, i can live with it! because i have MEDICAL INSURANCE. i can get MEDICATION.and i have. i also met a really great guy that isn't bothered by the herpes, because HE DOESN"T MINDWEARING CONDOMS!

you know, you had it REALLY good. i bought you shit. gave you a family. listened to you when youbitched and moaned about different things. i had sex with you whenever you wanted, shit, even whilei was on my damn period! i did just about everything i could for you. i hope you get shot and then suffera horrible, slow, painful death.

It's brutally cold here in Ohio. Like, miserably cold. So I was just hanging out with some old records, you know, catching up and stuff when I got stuck on the Old 97's 'Fight Songs' album...hard to believe it's been 10yrs since its release.

So much truth in these songs, and especially in THIS song. No, nineteen is DEFINITELY not the age of reason.

Another day, another Canadian band I am falling for. This time around it is the Prince Edward Island band The Danks. Their record 'Are You Afraid Of The Danks?' is a keeper. It reminds me a lot of the early Strokes records...lots of hooks, really great songs, but with a bit of angst bubbling up from beneath the surface.

You talked to me about

Criagslist

- m4w - 20 (Clifton)

Date: 2009-12-08, 5:08PM EST

You talked to me about Craigslist at a party on Friday. You lit my cigarettes. I want to know how hardcore you are about this site. Tell me what I wanted to put menthol in and what the dumb girl I was with kept wrapping herself in.

Yet another cool collaboration that I have been listening to and forgetting to post about is the Jack Kerouac inspired pairing of Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard. Two great songwriters, brought together by their love of the Kerouac's writing, recorded an album for the documentary One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur. Need I say more? It's an awesome project and one you should most definitely check out if you are a fan of either artist or Mr. Kerouac.

Now, the obligatory quote,followed by a song from the record:

The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say commonplace things but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the centerlight pop and everybody goes "AWWWW!!!- Jack Kerouac

Note to all of you aspiring musicians out there who would like to reach my vast readership of...like 17 - write a song romanticizing the ritual of mix-tape making. I will surely post it. I am such a sucker for the nostalgia involved with the mix-tape and all of it's traditions. I assure you, I will post it.

But in this case, the song is truly fantastic, as is the artist, and if not this tune then I surely would have posted another. The band is Darren Hayman and the Secondary Modern. They are an outfit from the UK who play and record some mighty fine indie-pop.

The current record is called 'Pram Town' and you can find this song on that LP.

I was 5 when John Lennon was killed, and as I look back I think that was the first time that I can ever remember seeing my mom cry. Twenty nine years later and it's still so sad to think about how much he could have accomplished had he not been taken from us.

I've been meaning to post a track from this Black Keys/heavyweights of hip-hop collaboration for a couple of weeks now, just haven't had time. It's really an awesome record. The bluesy rock that the Keys have made a good career out of serves as the perfect backdrop for raps by the likes of Mos Def, Pharoae Monch, Q Tip and many more. Even the late, great, and STILL prolific Ol' Dirty Bastard shows up!

The track below is one of my favorites on the album. This one features rapping by Noe and the hook is sung by Nicole Wray. Enjoy.

It's not often - or ever - that you will find me posting Christmas music on here, but when said Christmas music comes from a dear friend who doubles as a talented singer/songwriter I bend the rules.

Checkout and please feel free to download my friend Henry's(aka Me And The Horse I Rode In On) newly recorded Xmas tune...it's a beautiful track. For more of his music, be sure to check out his myspace page too!

Every year I put a list together of my favorite songs from the year that was, usually around Thanksgiving time, and every time some song slips in to my head in December that totally would have been on my 'best of' list.

This year's song of destiny is this one I am sharing from the Toronto band Evening Hymns. Their entire 'Spirit Guild' album is amazing, but this song is killer...although I am a bit concerned to make such a connection with a song that erupts into a refrain like '"lying there like a dead deer"...oh well, best to dwell on it I guess ;-)

Keep the great tribute albums coming - especially if they are this good. I am sitting here listening to 'The Best Is Yet To Come: The Songs Of Cy Coleman', and it's the perfect record for this time of year. Seriously, I would strongly suggest that you listen to this while in close proximity to a fireplace of some sort, but I digress. Mr. Coleman was a songwriter and composer, mostly making his magic on Broadway. Thankfully, a group of ultra talented women have gotten together to record this tribute album. Artists like Patti Griffin,, Missy Higgins, and Nikka Costa among others lend their talents to what is one awesome collection of torch songs.

I Will Help You Teach Your

Cat to Walk On a Leash

Date: 2009-09-28, 3:27PM CDTWell, there are no guarantees, but it can be done. I am a dog person by nature, but have slowly taught my cats to walk on a leash outdoors. So many people have stopped and said, "'I've always wanted to do that, how did you you do it?" that I figured I might try to pass on some knowledge for a minimal fee.

Walking your cat is great fun, and they love it. One of mine took to it right away and still sits meowing at the door to go out; the other, who I got when he was older, was terrified of the outdoors at first, but has come to love it. Most felines would love to be outdoors, smelling and feeling new things, even if they're scared at first. Most people just don't give them the chance.

Cats after three years old may not be able to acclimatize to the outdoors and all of its stimuli; some cats hate the harness; and others may just be housecats, pure and simple. Them's the breaks.

Teaching them how to walk takes time and patience, but it is rewarding. I should add that they rarely walk completely like a dog (i.e. your cat won't jog next to you), and will sometimes decide, "Hey, let's slow down and lay down here for a while, this bush smells good," you can train them to walk alongside you on a leash for long periods of time. Once they get that first taste, they love it.

And once you can do that, you can take your cat to the beach, to the park, to the lake, etc. A whole new world for them, and fun for you.

My fee for an hour or so of instruction is fifty dollars. I will bring one of mine over as a demonstration and talk to you about the various steps to take. I can't guarantee that your cat will learn to walk on a leash, but if it does your fifty will be well spent.

******See, when life hands you an economic meltdown, make yourself into a cat whisperer and charge $50 a session.

I know it's been awhile since I have posted anything, but it's been awhile since anything interesting has found it's way to my ears. Deer Tick took care of that today with their forthcoming EP 'More Fuel To The Fire' and especially this track...

Drop me a song!

My phone's on vibrate for you...

...or my email is anyway! Hey, it's me Blair...the Certain Songs staff of one. I just do this for the love of the music and am in no way trying to rip anybody off, so if you are an artist or a record label and you are not happy that I am promoting your music, or you want me to take a song down, just shoot me an email and I will most definitely oblige.

And please support the artists I post here in whatever way you can if you do download a song...go to a show, buy some merch, buy an album...these songs are the soundtrack to my life and I just love to share them. But I can only do that if the insanely talented artist responsible for said songs are able to eat.

I also love hearing new stuff...so any submissions can also be sent to my email, I will try my bestest to listen to everything and get back to you all...peace,love,rock n' roll.

csmusicblog@gmail.com

Monthly Mix Tape

Mission Statement

I guess you're old enough to know.Kids out on the east coast.Roughly twenty years old.Got coaxed out by a certain perfect ratio.Of warm beer to the summer smoke.And the meat loaf to the billy joel.Certain songs they get so scratched into our souls.

She goes low on the seats when she gets high in her car.She looks shallow but shes neck deep in the steamy dreams of the guys along the harbor bars.She's pulling out her shirttails and jacking up her socks.Stern and stoned and confident, coming up towards the jukebox.Born into the only songs that everybody finally sings along.B-1 is for the good girls.It's only the good die young.C-9 is for the making eyes.It's paradise by the dashboard light.D4 is for the lovers.B12 is for the speeders.And the hard drugs are for the bartenders and the kitchen workers and the bartender's friends.And they're playing it again.Ellen Foley gives us hope.Certain songs they get scratched into our souls.

I guess you're old enough to know.Kids out on the west coast are taking off their clothes.Screwing in the surf and going out to shows.They get high and ride around in gtos.I guess you're old enough to know.CERTAIN SONGS THEY GET SCRATCHED INTO OUR SOULS. - The Hold Steady